ARE 5.0 Demo Exam Case Study Responses and Rationale

Here are the correct responses and rationales for the five case study items found in the ARE 5.0 Demonstration Exam.

____

The architect is considering classifying the Event Center as construction Type I-B with an approved automatic sprinkler system.

Based on this classification and the project information provided, what is the maximum allowed building height?

50 feet

60 feet

160 feet

180 feet

CORRECT RESPONSE

50 feet

To determine the maximum building height allowed for the proposed structure, you’ll first need to review the International Building Code, located within the Codes and Regulations resource. According to Table 503 and Section 504.2, Type I-B structures containing an automatic sprinkler system can have a maximum building height of 180 feet above the grade plane. Next, you will need to review the Zoning Ordinance resource to determine if any additional height restrictions apply to the proposed building site. The Zoning Ordinance states that this site is zoned as DR-3.5. According to Section 5, Building Height Requirements, buildings constructed on sites zoned as DR-3.5 are limited to 50 feet in height.

This is a U/A level item requiring an understanding of building height restrictions and massing as prescribed by building codes and zoning.

_____

What is the minimum number of off-street parking spaces required for the new Event Center?

CORRECT RESPONSE

1250 parking spaces

The Zoning Ordinance resource provides information regarding land use, setbacks, building massing, and parking requirements. Per Section 4, Off-Street Parking Requirements, a theater, auditorium, arena, or stadium requires 1 off-street parking space per 4 seats. To determine the number of seats proposed for the new Event Center you must review the Program Elements resource, which states the building will include 5,000 fixed spectator seats. Dividing the total number of seats by 4 (Step 1), you determine 1,250 off-street parking spaces are required for the Event Center.

Step 1: 5,000 seats / 4 = 1,250 parking spaces

This is a U/A level item requiring you to understand how a building program and zoning ordinance impact parking requirements.

_____

Click on the area of the site plan that is the most appropriate location for the Exterior Plaza.

CORRECT RESPONSE

The northwest region of the site, adjacent to University Drive, between the wetlands and heritage tree, is the most appropriate location for the Exterior Plaza. According to the Program Elements resource, the Exterior Plaza must be located at the front of the building, connecting University Drive to the Main Entry. It must allow for the movement of both pedestrians and emergency vehicles. The Scenario requires that the wetland area and heritage trees remain undisturbed. By reviewing the Site Plan, you can determine the northwest region of the site is the only area fulfilling all of these requirements. Placing the hot spot marker anywhere within the outlined area is a correct answer.

This is an A/E level item requiring you to evaluate programmatic and client requirements as they relate to existing site conditions.

_____

The architect is considering making the Event Center two stories. The Main Event Space will be located on the ground floor with tiered spectator seating on all four sides, rising to the first floor. The Main Concourse will be located on the first floor and provide circulation to each of the spectator seats.

Which program spaces must be located on the ground floor? Check the three that apply.

Guest Services/Information

Main Entry

General Building Storage

Athletic Locker Rooms

Hospitality Room

Loading/Staging Area

CORRECT RESPONSE

General Building Storage

Athletic Locker Rooms

Loading/Staging Area

The Program Elements resource includes a list of required spaces, spatial characteristics, and adjacency requirements. According to the resource, Loading/Staging requires direct access to the Main Event Space and General Building Storage making the ground floor the most appropriate location for these spaces. Placing the Athletic Locker Rooms on the ground floor fulfills the program’s requirement of allowing athletes easy access to the athletic court. The Main Entry and Hospitality Room require a connection to the Main Concourse, therefore the first floor is the correct location for both spaces. Per the program requirements, Guest Services/Information should also be located adjacent to the Main Entry.

This is an A/E level item requiring the analysis of both horizontal and vertical spatial relationships based in a building program.

_____

In the bubble diagram below, drag the space labels from the left into the appropriate bubbles to meet all programmatic and client requirements.

CORRECT RESPONSE

To complete the bubble diagram, you’ll need to understand the spatial relationships of the new Event Center as they relate to the program and the client’s requirements. Per the Program Elements resource, the Main Entry is a transitional space from the Entry Plaza to the Main Event Space. The Hospitality Room requires views of the Main Event Space and a connection to the Main Concourse. Loading/Staging must have direct access to the Service Yard, General Building Storage, and the Main Event Space. Finally, the Athletic Locker Rooms need to be located near the Main Event Space, allowing athletes easy access to the athletic court.

This is an A/E level item requiring you to analyze the functional relationships of each space as it relates to the client requirements and building program.

Good comment. It is critical to note that the question states the architect has already determined that the main concourse is going to be located on the first floor. Hopefully this helps clear up your question.

The area outlined for the exterior plaza represents all possible answers to this hotspot question. As long as you click within that area, you will register a correct response.

Regarding your second question, the ARE 5.0 Demonstration Exam contains questions from multiple divisions of the exam which are also included in the ARE 5.0 Handbook. I recommend that you check out that document. It is located here.

In question 2 (offstreet parking) there were other uses for the event center such as loading/storage, and retail presumably for the concession area. Shouldn't these parking requirements be included bringing us up to at least 1253.

Your primary resource for determining parking requirements is the Zoning Ordinance. This document lists the offstreet parking requirement for 14 different types of uses. The ancillary uses you mention are not part of this list, which means you don't need to factor them into your calculations. Therefore you should just use the 1 per 4 seats for a Theater, Auditorium, Arena or Stage.

This question requires a couple of other things for you to consider. One is the understanding that a local zoning ordinance takes precedence over any client or code requirements. The second is the calculation of the number of spaces based on the number of seats.

Also, I've been relying on 4.0 study material as that is what I currently have available but the 5.0 thought process/approach to the questions seems so different that I'm feeling underprepared for my upcoming test. Any suggestions on effective study resources (specifically for Programming and Analysis) that could be utilized in the next three days? Test on Friday!

Hey Mark...all of the items used on the Demo Exam are definitely in the ARE 5.0 Handbook and they all include references and rationale. They are distributed across all six divisions because the Demo Exam does not represent just one division. Hope that helps.

The accessible parking req's aren't as clear as they could be in IBC 2012.

Per the provided IBC, Table 1106.1, 1250 event spaces would require 23 accessible parking spaces. So shouldn't the answer be 1273? The IBC doesn't make this clear, the wording is such that the accessible spaces will be part of the 1250.

Hey Richard...IBC isn't the final determinate on parking spaces in this case. It is the local zoning ordinance. Also, the question doesn't ask about number of accessible spaces - just total number of spaces. Be careful in your exam to not over complicate what the item is asking.

To answer your second question - the excerpts of Codes and Regulations will change by CASE STUDY (not by question.

Ryan, regarding question #2 and your response to Stephen on January 19-

"This question requires a couple of other things for you to consider. One is the understanding that a local zoning ordinance takes precedence over any client or code requirements."

Will a local zoning ordinance still take precedent over a code requirement that is more stringent? If yes, why not just go straight to the zoning resource section to save precious time, instead of reviewing the IBC first as the answer suggests? Is it because there will not always be a local zoning ordinance for building height pertaining to the site? I have my test scheduled for this Sunday so I want to get this concept straight. I'm pleasantly surprised Prometric is open on Father's Day in Salt Lake City!

We are in total agreement with your approach. Typically, the total number of parking spaces is governed by the local zoning code or ordinance. In the above example, you could save time by going straight to the Zoning Ordinance resource. This won't be the situation for all case study items. If you look at the first case study item listed, you will notice that you need to check the IBC and Zoning Ordinance to determine the max building height. In this case, the most stringent requirement is the correct response. One thing to remember, the resources included in a case study vary by division and case, so some may contain IBC and a Zoning Ordinance and others will not.

I've been looking for the answers to the case study examples, so grateful that I stumbled across this post. Maybe NCARB should post these on the main site for other candidates to find more easily? Thank you!!

How come the Concession/Retail doesnt have a proximity line to the Main Event Space? Per the program, it should be convenient to all seating spaces. I guess because the Main Councourse has a direct connection, that works and direct views for Hospitality take the proximity line?

Good question! The program specifies that the Concession/Retail space be connect to the Main Concourse. The Hospitality Room also requires a connection to the Main Concourse, but it also requires views overlooking the Main Event Space. To accomplish this, the Hospitality Room needs to be near the Main Event Space (upper left bubble). In this case, proximity doesn't equal convenience. Since the seating area is connected to the Main Concourse and the Main Concourse is connected the Concession/Retail space, a user would have a pretty nice circulation path to buy some snacks/gear, but it might be a bit of a walk. In this example, the Concession/Retail spaces could be connected to the outside of the concourse. Since the Hospitality Room must be the upper left bubble, that leaves the upper right bubble for Concessions/Retail.

Is the Case Study in the Demonstration Exam relevant to a particular division (such as PPD)?

It is not clear from the Handbook since they only cover the multiple choice. It would be very helpful to have each question noted with which division it relates to, to help clarify for those of us trying to get a more specific sense of what our particular exam might ask.

All of the items on the ARE 5.0 Demonstration Exam are included in the ARE 5.0 Handbook (organized by division and section). The sample case study is also located in the Handbook and includes content from the Programming & Analysis division.

Good question. First off, this isn't an occupancy question where you would calculate the total number of occupants for each space per the IBC tables. This is a simple building type/zoning question. Since the building type is an event center with 5,000 seats, it is a simple calculation based on the information in the zoning code (1 per 4 seats).